Wireless system and device communication management

ABSTRACT

According to one configuration, a system comprising: a first SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) device; a second SIM device; and user equipment in which the first SIM device and the second SIM device are installed. The user equipment is operable to: access first subscriber identity information stored in the first SIM device, the first subscriber identity information providing the user equipment access to a first wireless network in a network environment; access second subscriber identity information stored in the second SIM device, the second subscriber identity information providing the user equipment access to a second wireless network in the network environment; and via analysis of configuration settings in the second subscriber identity information, detect that the second network is assigned to support non-voice wireless communications between the user equipment and a remote network.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of earlier filed U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/366,741 entitled “WIRELESS SYSTEM ANDDEVICE COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT,” (Attorney Docket No. CHTR-2019-1),filed on Mar. 27, 2019, the entire teachings of which are incorporatedherein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventional wireless networks can be configured to include macro(large) cell and small cell resources to support both voice and dataservices to user equipment using a single subscription (e.g., one SIMprofile). In certain instances, a macro radio layer is normally used tominimize signaling due to inter-cell handover as respective userequipment moves between cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure includes the observation that there are deficienciesassociated with conventional techniques of supporting wirelesscommunications using standard SIM devices. For example, priorconventional implementations of dual SIM dual Standby (DSDS) do notsupport offloading because of the following:

-   -   Current implementations of Dual Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)        Dual Standby (DSDS) depend on the subscriber manually selecting        a network designated primary for voice and data usage. The        subscriber also manually designates which network is secondary        for data and voice usage.    -   The subscriber must select and designate the primary network for        voice and secondary networks via manual input to a graphical        user interface of a respective mobile communication device.    -   There is no dynamic network switching between networks. If the        user desires to switch between primary and secondary networks,        the user must go to the graphical user interface (UI) and        manually assign a role to each network.    -   In some cases, depending on the operating system and modem        chipset in the device, assigning a network role or changing the        assignment will cause the device to disconnect from the existing        network and reconnect to the new desired network. This causes        network interruption.    -   Devices supporting DSDS make use of either two physical SIMs or        one physical SIM and one embedded SIM (eSIM) or two embedded        SIMs.    -   Functionality in existing DSDS assumes that both networks'        coverage overlap with each other, eliminating the need to have        geo fencing to optimize UE or handset resources.    -   The device has to display both networks' name indicators, phone        numbers, and signal strength. There is no option in conventional        techniques for a respective carrier to mask the offload network.    -   Application on the phone can use both phone numbers and access        device information for both SIMs.

Embodiments herein include novel ways of providing improved wirelesscommunications in a network environment.

For example, embodiments herein enable: i) mobile service providers tooffload data traffic on to available cost-effective networks, ii) MVNO(Mobile Virtual Network Operator) and wireless service providers tooffload data traffic from the MNO (Mobile Network Operator) network forcost efficient roaming, iii) an offload mode that enhances userexperience and provides high bandwidth data service; the offload modeenhances user experience for offloading networks, iv) appearance of asingle network to user equipment in which the user doesn't have to beconcerned with network selection and corresponding wireless coverage, v)via the offload mode as described herein, the carrier (service provider)can select the policy for which network is used for offloading data andwhich network is used for voice, and vi) the offload mode as describedherein preserves a user device's battery and power usage by limitingunwanted scanning, displays of information, and unwanted alternatingbetween networks, and so on.

More specifically, in accordance with further embodiments herein, userequipment (such as a mobile communication device) includes a first SIMdevice (such as installed in a first slot of the user equipment) and asecond SIM device (such as installed in a second slot of the userequipment).

The first SIM device stores first subscriber identity informationassigned to the user equipment and corresponding user; the second SIMdevice stores second subscriber identity information assigned to theuser equipment and corresponding user. A communication manager (such asexecuted by an operating system) of the user equipment accesses thefirst subscriber identity information to provide the user equipmentaccess to a first wireless network in a network environment; thecommunication manager of the user equipment accesses the secondsubscriber identity information to provide the user equipment access toa second wireless network in the network environment. Via analysis ofconfiguration settings (such as service provider or carrier profileinformation specifying OFFLOAD mode setting information) in the secondsubscriber identity information, the user equipment detects that thesecond network is assigned to support non-voice data wirelesscommunications between the user equipment and a remote network.

In one embodiment, the configuration settings of the second subscriberidentity information include a carrier (service provider) profile of acorresponding service provider providing wireless connectivity via thesecond wireless network.

In accordance with still further embodiments, the configuration settings(in the second SIM device) indicating assignment of supporting thenon-voice wireless communications are pre-programmed in the second SIMdevice prior to the second SIM device being inserted into the secondslot of the user equipment. In one embodiment, the communication managerof the user equipment is operable to access the pre-programmedconfiguration settings of the second subscriber identity information asan alternative to a user of the user equipment having to provide inputspecifying which of the first SIM device and the second SIM devicepresent in the user equipment is to provide wireless service for thenon-voice data communications.

In still further embodiments, the first wireless network (such asincluding large cells) and corresponding first subscriber identityinformation is assigned to support voice communications between the userequipment and the remote network. The second subscriber identityinformation supports offload of user equipment from a large cell regionof wireless coverage to different small cell regions of wirelesscoverage depending on availability of same. If offload to a secondarywireless network is not possible, the first subscriber identityinformation (and corresponding first SIM device) provides respectiveuser voice data wireless services and non-voice data wireless services.

In accordance with further embodiments, the user equipment is requiredto establish a first wireless communication link with the first wirelessnetwork that supports the voice communications prior to establishing asecond wireless communication link supporting offloading of thenon-voice wireless communications to the second wireless network.

In yet further embodiments, in accordance with the first subscriberidentity information, the user equipment establishes a first wirelesscommunication link between the user equipment and the first wirelessnetwork; the established first wireless communication link supportsvoice communications associated with the user equipment. The userequipment further communicates non-voice data over the established firstwireless communication link in accordance with the first subscriberidentity information in response to detecting that the second wirelessnetwork is unavailable. In response to detecting subsequent availabilityof the second wireless network at a current location where the userequipment resides, the user equipment establishes a second wirelesscommunication link extending between the user equipment and the secondwireless network. Via the offload mode, the user equipment thencommunicates the non-voice data over the established second wirelesscommunication link with the second wireless network.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, based on analysis of boththe first subscriber identity information and the second subscriberidentity information, the communication manager of the user equipmentverifies that at least one set of the subscriber identity informationsuch as the first subscriber identity information or second subscriberidentity information supports voice communications between the userequipment and the first wireless network prior to establishing awireless communication link between the user equipment and the secondwireless network that communicates the non-voice wireless communicationsover the second wireless communication link using the subscriberidentity information. This prevents a user from installing multiple SIMdevices that only support the OFFLOAD capability as described herein. Inother words, the operating system of the user equipment can beconfigured to verify that at least one of the SIM devices andcorresponding subscriber identity information installed on the mobilecommunication device supports voice communications prior to providingnon-voice data communications via the OFFLOAD mode.

In accordance with further embodiments, the user equipment includes aMODEM device operable to process received wireless communications fromthe first wireless network and the second wireless network. In oneembodiment, the user equipment switches between: i) receiving firstcommunications at a modem device from the first wireless network, andii) receiving second communications at the modem device from the secondwireless network. The user equipment (at least occasionally or,alternatively, such as per 3GPP technical specification the networkprovides a time interval where the UE wakes up or tunes in to listen forpaging targeted for the user equipment) processes the firstcommunications (such as looking for so-called page requests or callalerts) from the first wireless network to determine whether a remotedevice (remote caller) is attempting to establish a voice call with theuser equipment. In one embodiment, for a majority of the time, when nocall is made by the user, the user equipment uses the modem device toprocess non-voice data communications received over the second wirelessnetwork.

In accordance with further embodiments, in response to detectingoccurrence of a remote device (such as a phone device) attempting toestablish the voice call with the user equipment, and acceptance of thevoice call by a user of the user equipment, the user equipment controlsoperation of the modem device to support communications between the userequipment and the remote device over the first wireless network inaccordance with the first subscriber identity information. In oneembodiment, the user equipment can be configured to maintain thewireless registration with the second wireless network as being activealthough no non-voice communications may be received during the voicecall as the modem can be configured to switchover to processing thevoice communications associated with the voice call for its duration andthen switch back to receiving non-voice communications from the secondwireless network after termination of the voice call. Alternatively, inone embodiment, for voice communications, the modem can be configured toswitch to receiving data from the voice network (first network). Themodem will use the voice network for voice and data services during thevoice session.

Thus, embodiments herein include maintaining a second communication linkbetween the user equipment and the second wireless network as beingactive while the user equipment receives voice communications and thenon-voice wireless communications over a first communication link fromthe first wireless network. As mentioned, the user equipment can beconfigured to switch to receiving the non-voice communications from thesecond wireless network in response to termination of receiving thevoice communications from the first wireless network.

In yet further embodiments, the user equipment switches from receivingthe non-voice wireless communications from the first wireless networkand the second wireless network depending on availability of the secondwireless network. In one embodiment, the second wireless network is adefault or preferred network assigned a higher priority to receivenon-voice communications than the first wireless network over which tooperate in the OFFLOAD mode and receive the non-voice wirelesscommunications.

In accordance with still further embodiments, embodiments herein includeswitching from receiving the non-voice wireless communications from thefirst wireless network and the second wireless network depending on alocation of the user equipment in a region of wireless coverage providedby the first wireless network. For example, if a second wireless networkis available while the user equipment is in the region of wirelesscoverage provided by the first wireless network, then the user equipmententers the OFFLOAD mode to support the non-voice data communicationsbetween the user equipment and the remote network.

In yet further embodiments, based on analysis of the first subscriberidentity information and the second subscriber identity information, theuser equipment: i) designates the first wireless network as a default tosupport voice wireless communications, and ii) designates the secondwireless network as a default to support the non-voice wirelesscommunications. The second wireless network provides multiple (smallersized) regions of wireless coverage (than region of wireless coverage inthe first wireless network) to support the non-voice wirelesscommunications within a single region of wireless coverage provided bythe first wireless network.

The user equipment can be configured to enter the OFFLOAD mode in asuitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, the user equipmentcommunicates from the user equipment to a wireless station in the firstwireless network to retrieve network parameters that can be used todetermine availability information associated with the second wirelessnetwork. Via the network availability information, the user equipmentdetermines availability of a wireless station in the second wirelessnetwork that supports the non-voice wireless communications.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the user equipment retrievesnetwork availability information such as from a wireless station (orother suitable resource) in the first wireless network. The userequipment also receives location information indicating a currentlocation of the user equipment in a region of wireless coverage providedby the wireless station in the first wireless network. Via the networkavailability information and current location information, the userequipment maps the current location of the user equipment to a wirelessstation in the second wireless network. The user equipment thenestablishes a wireless communication link with the wireless station inthe second wireless network in accordance with the second subscriberidentity information. Via the established wireless communication linkwith the wireless station in the second wireless network, the userequipment communicates the non-voice wireless communications between theuser equipment and the remote network.

Mapping of the current location of the user equipment to the wirelessstation in the second wireless network can be achieved in any suitablemanner. In one embodiment, the mapping of the current location of theuser equipment to the wireless station in the second wireless networkincludes: via the network availability information received from thewireless station in the first wireless network, identifying a region ofwireless coverage provided by the wireless station in the secondwireless network. The user equipment establishes the wirelesscommunication link with the wireless station in the second wirelessnetwork in response to detecting that the current location resideswithin the region of wireless coverage provided by the wireless stationin the second wireless network.

In the event that the current location of the user equipment is unknown,the user equipment can be configured to monitor wireless communicationsin a region of wireless coverage provided by a wireless station in thefirst wireless network. In response to detecting presence of thewireless station in the second wireless network via the monitoredwireless communications, the user equipment establishes a wirelesscommunication link with the wireless station in the second wirelessnetwork. Via the established wireless communication link with thewireless station in the second wireless network, the user equipmentcommunicates the non-voice wireless communications between the userequipment and the remote network.

In accordance with further embodiments, in response to detectingpresence of the wireless station in the second wireless network, theuser equipment can be configured to update the network availabilityinformation to indicate the wireless station and its availability in theregion of wireless coverage provided by the wireless station in thefirst wireless network. The user equipment then provides notification ofthe availability of the detected wireless station in the second wirelessnetwork to a central authority (such as a server resource) trackinglocations of wireless stations associated with the second wirelessnetwork. Thus, the user equipment can be configured to provide theserver resource notification of a new wireless station in the secondnetwork in order to update the current network availability information.

Note that further embodiments herein include:

-   -   Providing an offload function (via a uniquely configured        supplemental SIM device) to switch data seamlessly between        networks with preference to the designated network if/when        coverage is available.    -   A service provider (wireless Carrier) profile in a SIM device        that will include flags or indicators that the device's        operating system will use to determine if the carrier profile        will be used for offloading function or as a standard carrier        service profile used in standard DSDS.    -   The offload flags or indicators in the corresponding        configuration settings of a SIM device can be included in the        Profile Policy Rules (PPR) or by specific flag in the carrier        profile.    -   If the wireless carrier (service provider) profile and        corresponding SIM device is used for data offloading, the device        (user equipment) will be in OFFLOAD mode for the specific        network.    -   In the offload mode, the device will utilize the offload network        for data services; in offload mode, if required by carrier and        based on configuration, the device does not render any signs or        indicators for the offloading network. The network UI (User        Interface) and information is not visible to the subscriber and        the subscriber's applications for the offload network. This        includes preventing display of a UI (on the user equipment) for        selecting designated networks, network names, phone number        (MSISDN) and signal strength indicators.    -   If using offload mode in DSDS (Dual SIM Dual Standby), the        offload network will be designated for data service only network        by default; the device will have a single offloading network        active, and by default, it will be the designated non-voice data        service network. The other network will be designated for voice        and non-voice data.    -   This solution takes into consideration the possibility of        limited network coverage whereby the offload network and the        voice network may not overlap. System will use any available        network for data. In this case, both wireless networks can be        used for data.    -   This solution can switch on/off scanning for designated offload        networks based on both network availability and networks'        metrics. If these metrics are not met, the offload network will        not be used.    -   Switching between available networks and designated networks can        be invoked by the device modem, OS or over-the-top application        through application program interface (API).    -   Both networks will have active internet PDN. Switching the data        path or route dynamically between networks will designate an        active and standby PDN.

Embodiments herein are useful over conventional techniques. For example,as further discussed herein, user equipment enters an OFFLOAD mode tooffload data traffic from a first service provider network (such aslarge cell region of wireless coverage) to a second service providernetwork (such as a small cell region of wireless coverage, which is amore cost effective network); offloading as described herein preservesuser experience and provides seamless data service across differentnetworks; via programming of a SIM device or other configurationsettings, a respective service provider can select the policy for whichnetwork is used for offloading data and which network is used for voice;the OFFLOAD mode and unique manner in which to identify presence of anetwork can be implemented to preserve battery and power usage on thedevice by limiting both unwanted scanning and needless alternatingbetween wireless networks; further embodiments herein can includeimplementation of the OFFLOAD mode to offload user equipment to apartner's wireless network without user intervention.

Note that any of the resources as discussed herein can include one ormore computerized devices, user equipment, wireless communicationdevices, gateway resources, mobile communication devices, sensors,servers, base stations, wireless communication equipment, communicationmanagement systems, controllers, workstations, user equipment, handheldor laptop computers, or the like to carry out and/or support any or allof the method operations disclosed herein. In other words, one or morecomputerized devices or processors can be programmed and/or configuredto operate as explained herein to carry out the different embodiments asdescribed herein.

Yet other embodiments herein include software programs to perform thesteps and/or operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.One such embodiment comprises a computer program product including anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium (i.e., any computerreadable hardware storage medium) on which software instructions areencoded for subsequent execution. The instructions, when executed in acomputerized device (hardware) having a processor, program and/or causethe processor (hardware) to perform the operations disclosed herein.Such arrangements are typically provided as software, code,instructions, and/or other data (e.g., data structures) arranged orencoded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium such as anoptical medium (e.g., CD-ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick,memory device, etc., or other a medium such as firmware in one or moreROM, RAM, PROM, etc., or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), etc. The software or firmware or other such configurations canbe installed onto a computerized device to cause the computerized deviceto perform the techniques explained herein.

Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to a method, system,computer program product, etc., that supports operations as discussedherein.

One embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/or systemhaving instructions stored thereon to support wireless communicationsusing multiple SIM devices and corresponding subscriber identityinformation according to embodiments herein. The instructions, whenexecuted by the computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware (such as one or more co-located or disparatelyprocessor devices or hardware) to: access first subscriber identityinformation assigned to user equipment, the first subscriber identityinformation providing the user equipment access to a first wirelessnetwork in a network environment; access second subscriber identityinformation assigned to the user equipment, the second subscriberidentity information providing the user equipment access to a secondwireless network in the network environment; and via analysis ofconfiguration settings in the second subscriber identity information,detect that the second network is assigned to support non-voice wirelesscommunications between the user equipment and a remote network.

The ordering of the steps above has been added for clarity sake. Notethat any of the processing steps as discussed herein can be performed inany suitable order.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programsand/or respective hardware to perform any of the method embodiment stepsand operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.

It is to be understood that the system, method, apparatus, instructionson computer readable storage media, etc., as discussed herein also canbe embodied strictly as a software program, firmware, as a hybrid ofsoftware, hardware and/or firmware, or as hardware alone such as withina processor (hardware or software), or within an operating system or awithin a software application.

As discussed herein, techniques herein are well suited for use in thefield of conveying wireless communications in wireless networkenvironment. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are notlimited to use in such applications and that the techniques discussedherein are well suited for other applications as well.

Additionally, note that although each of the different features,techniques, configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in differentplaces of this disclosure, it is intended, where suitable, that each ofthe concepts can optionally be executed independently of each other orin combination with each other. Accordingly, the one or more presentinventions as described herein can be embodied and viewed in manydifferent ways.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments herein (BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS) purposefully does not specify everyembodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosureor claimed invention(s). Instead, this brief description only presentsgeneral embodiments and corresponding points of novelty overconventional techniques. For additional details and/or possibleperspectives (permutations) of the invention(s), the reader is directedto the Detailed Description section (which is a summary of embodiments)and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating user equipment supporting useof multiple SIM devices according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating a SIM device and correspondingsubscriber identity information (configuration settings) according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating a flowchart of detectingpresence of one or more sets of subscriber identity informationaccording to embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating a wireless network environmentand use of multiple sets of subscriber identity information according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating network availabilityinformation according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating a multi-layer network andcorresponding use of same according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating a multi-layer network andcorresponding use of same according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating updating of networkavailability information according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating operations according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating operations according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 11 is an example diagram illustrating example computer architectureoperable to execute one or more operations according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 12 is an example diagram illustrating a method according toembodiments herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with general embodiments herein, user equipment includes:a first SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) device and a second SIM device.A communication manager of the user equipment is operable to accessfirst subscriber identity information stored in the first SIM device,the first subscriber identity information providing the user equipmentaccess to a first wireless network in a network environment. Thecommunication manager of the user equipment is further operable toaccess second subscriber identity information stored in the second SIMdevice, the second subscriber identity information providing the userequipment access to a second wireless network in the networkenvironment. Via analysis of the configuration settings in the secondsubscriber identity information, the communication manager of the userequipment detects that the second network is assigned to supportnon-voice wireless communications between the user equipment and aremote network.

Now, more specifically, FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating awireless communication system according to embodiments herein.

As shown in this example embodiment, the network environment 100includes user equipment 110, network 190-1, and network 190-2.

User equipment 110 includes modem device 111, communication manager 140,SIM device 121, SIM device 122, and display screen 130.

In this example embodiment, SIM device 121 inserted in slot 141 storescorresponding subscriber identity information 131; SIM device 122inserted in slot 142 stores corresponding subscriber identityinformation 132.

Note that each of the different components (such as modem device 111,communication manager 140, etc.) in network environment 100 can beimplemented via hardware, software, or a combination of both hardwareand software. More specifically, communication manager 140 can beconfigured to include communication manager hardware and/orcommunication manager software to carry out embodiments as discussedherein; and so on.

As further shown, user 108 operates corresponding user equipment 110.

As further discussed herein, user equipment 110 communicates overnetwork 190-1 with one or more remote communication devices 155-1,155-2, etc. (such as mobile phone devices supporting voicecommunications); user equipment 110 communicates over network 190-1 ornetwork 190-2 with one or more server resources 195-1, 195-2, etc. (suchas providing webpage information, email information, etc., to the userequipment 110).

In one embodiment, the first SIM device 121 stores first subscriberidentity information 131 assigned to the user equipment 110 andcorresponding user 108; the second SIM device 122 stores secondsubscriber identity information 132 assigned to the user equipment 110and corresponding user 108.

Communication manager 140 (such as executed by an operating system) ofthe user equipment 110 accesses the first subscriber identityinformation 131 to provide the user equipment 110 access to a firstwireless network 190-1 (network N1) in network environment 100; thecommunication manager 140 of the user equipment 110 accesses the secondsubscriber identity information 132 to provide the user equipment 110access to a second wireless network 190-2 (network N2) in the networkenvironment 100. Via analysis of respective configuration settings (suchas service provider or carrier profile information specifying OFFLOADmode setting information) in the second subscriber identity information132, the user equipment 110 detects that the second network 190-2 isassigned to support non-voice data wireless communications between theuser equipment 110 and a remote network and corresponding resources suchas server resources 195-1, 195-2, etc.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating a SIM device and correspondingsubscriber identity information (such as including configurationsettings) according to embodiments herein.

In one embodiment, the configuration settings 250 stored in the secondsubscriber identity information 132 include a carrier profile 210associated with a particular service provider providing wirelessconnectivity via the second wireless network 190-2 to the user equipment110.

In accordance with still further embodiments, the configuration settings250 indicate the assignment of the SIM device 122 and correspondingsubscriber identity information 132 to support data communications (suchas non-voice wireless communications) In one embodiment, the SIM device122 is pre-programmed with the subscriber identity information 132(carrier profile 210, configuration settings 250, etc.) prior to thesecond SIM device being inserted into the second slot 142 of the userequipment 110. This alleviates the user 108 from having to manuallyinput settings information to assign the subscriber identity information132 to the second wireless network 190-2, which may be difficult orcumbersome.

During operation, the communication manager 140 of the user equipment110 is operable to access the pre-programmed configuration settings 250of the second subscriber identity information 132 as an alternative to auser of the user equipment providing input specifying which of the firstSIM device 121 and the second SIM device 122 present in the userequipment 110 is to provide wireless service for the non-voice datacommunications. For example, to determine to which of multiple networksthe subscriber identity information 132 pertains, the communicationmanager 140 accesses the configuration settings 250 associated withcarrier profile 210 to detect that the SIM device 122 (and correspondingnetwork N2) has been assigned to support non-voice communicationsassociated with the user equipment 110.

Based on analysis of the first subscriber identity information 131 andthe second subscriber identity information 132, the communicationmanager 140 of user equipment 110: i) designates the first wirelessnetwork 190-1 as a default to support voice (telephone) wirelesscommunications, and ii) designates the second wireless network 190-2 asa default to support the non-voice wireless communications. As furtherdiscussed herein, the second wireless network 190-2 provides multiple(smaller sized) regions of wireless coverage (than region of wirelesscoverage in the first wireless network) to support the non-voicewireless communications within a single region of wireless coverageprovided by the first wireless network.

Note that, in one embodiment, the user equipment 110 is required toestablish a first wireless communication link with the first wirelessnetwork (associated with subscriber identity information 131) thatsupports the voice communications prior to establishing a secondwireless communication link supporting offloading of the non-voicewireless communications to the second wireless network (associated withsubscriber identity information 132). This ensures that that user 108and user equipment 108 camps on a respective network (such as network190-1 or N1) and is able to establish voice calls with one or moreremote communication devices (such as remote communication device 155-1,155-2, etc.) in network 190-1.

As further discussed herein, as previously discussed, the first wirelessnetwork 190-1 and corresponding first subscriber identity information131 is assigned to support voice communications between the userequipment 110 and the remote network 190-1. The second subscriberidentity information 132 supports offload (via an OFFLOAD mode) of userequipment 110 from a large cell region of wireless coverage (such as bya single wireless base station) to one or more different small cellregions of wireless coverage depending on availability of the small cellregions of wireless coverage in large cell regions of wireless coverage.

If offload (switchover) to a respective cell in the secondary wirelessnetwork 190-2 is not possible, the first subscriber identity information131 (and corresponding first SIM device 121) provides respective user108 voice data wireless services as well as non-voice data wirelessservices. In one example embodiment, it is desirable to switchover toreceiving non-voice communications (data communications such as toretrieve webpages, video content, etc.) to the network 190-2 such thatthe network 190-2 is used as much as possible to receive non-voice datacommunications.

In yet further embodiments, in accordance with the first subscriberidentity information 131, the communication manager 140 of the userequipment 110 establishes a first wireless communication link betweenthe user equipment and the first wireless network; the established firstwireless communication link supports voice communications associatedwith the user equipment 110. The user equipment 110 further communicatesnon-voice data over the established first wireless communication link inaccordance with the first subscriber identity information 131 inresponse to detecting that the second wireless network 190-2 isunavailable. In response to detecting subsequent availability of thesecond wireless network 190-2 at a current location where the userequipment 110 and corresponding user 108 reside, the communicationmanager 140 of the user equipment 110 establishes a second wirelesscommunication link extending between the user equipment and the secondwireless network. Via the offload mode as indicated by the subscriberidentity information 132 and the second wireless communication link, theuser equipment 110 then communicates the non-voice data over theestablished second wireless communication link with the second wirelessnetwork.

In accordance with further embodiments, in response to detectingoccurrence of a remote device 155-1 (such as a phone device) attemptingto establish the voice call with the user equipment 110, and acceptanceof the voice call by a user 108 of the user equipment 110, the userequipment 110 controls operation of the modem device 111 to supportcommunications (associated with the user accepted incoming phone call)between the user equipment 110 and the remote device 155-1 over thefirst wireless network 190-1 in accordance with the first subscriberidentity information 131. In one embodiment, the user equipment 110maintains the wireless communication link with the second wirelessnetwork 190-2 as being active although no non-voice communications maybe received during the voice call as the modem device 111 can beconfigured to switchover to processing the voice communicationsassociated with the voice call for duration of same.

Thus, embodiments herein can include maintaining a second communicationlink between the user equipment 110 and the second wireless network190-2 as being active while the user equipment receives voicecommunications and the non-voice wireless communications over a firstcommunication link from the first wireless network 190-1. The userequipment 110 switches to receiving the non-voice communications fromthe second wireless network 190-2 in response to termination ofreceiving the voice communications from the first wireless network190-1.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating a flowchart of detectingpresence of one or more sets of subscriber identity informationaccording to embodiments herein.

In accordance with yet further embodiments, based on analysis of boththe first subscriber identity information of a first SIM device (such asinstalled in a first slot 141 of the user equipment 110) and secondsubscriber identity information of a second SIM device (such as in asecond slot 142 of user equipment 110), the communication manager 140 ofthe user equipment 110 verifies that at least one set of the subscriberidentity information such as the first subscriber identity informationof the first SIM device or second SIM device supports voicecommunications between the user equipment 110 and the first wirelessnetwork 190-1 prior to establishing a wireless communication linkbetween the user equipment 110 and the second wireless network 190-2that communicates the non-voice wireless communications over the secondwireless communication link using the subscriber identity information.This prevents a user from improperly installing multiple SIM devicesthat only support the OFFLOAD capability and then operating the userequipment 110 to access the network 190-2.

In other words, via flowchart 300, the communication manager 140 of theuser equipment 110 can be configured to verify that at least one of theSIM devices 121 or 122 and corresponding subscriber identity information131 or 132 supports voice communications prior to providing non-voicedata communications via the OFFLOAD mode. If both devices supportOFFLOAD mode only, then the user equipment 110 can be configured togenerate and display a respective notification to the user 108indicating the condition that no service is available. If at least oneof the SIM devices installed in respective slots 141 and 142 supportsvoice communications, then the user equipment 110 can be configured toaccess network 190-1 and support voice calls.

Referring to the flowchart 300, in processing operation 310, thecommunication manager 140 processes the subscriber identity information131 in the SIM device 121 to determine a network to which the subscriberidentity information 121 pertains.

In processing operation 320, the communication manager 140 determineswhether the subscriber identity information for the first SIM device inthe user equipment 110 being checked is set to support an OFFLOAD mode.If so, then flow continues at processing operation 330.

In processing operation 330, the communication manager 140 processes thesubscriber identity information associated with the second SIM device todetermine a profile (such as indicating a network) corresponding policyto which the corresponding subscriber identity information pertains.

In processing operation 335, the communication manager 140 determineswhether the policy indicates to operate in the offload mode. If so, flowcontinues at processing operation 340 in which the communication manager140 generates a corresponding message for display on the display screen130 of the user equipment 110. In one embodiment, the communicationmanager 140 displays an error message indicating that none of the SIMdevices inserted in the respective slots of the user equipment 110supports voice communications.

Alternatively, if processing operation 335 indicates that the secondaccessed SIM device does not indicate the OFFLOAD mode, processingcontinues at operation 345 during which the user equipment 110 andattaches to the SIM device supporting voice communications.

Further, in processing operation 350, the user equipment reads theprimary SIM profile and corresponding policy.

In processing operation 355, if the profile policy does not indicate theoffload mode, processing continues at operation 360 in which thecommunication management 140 enters a standard DSDS dual SIM dualstandby mode. Alternatively, if the communication manager 140 detectsthat the profile policy associated with the primary SIM device profileindicates the offload mode in operation 355, processing continues atoperation 365 in which the communication manager 140 enters into theoffload mode and, if available, attaches to a network designated fordata only.

Processing operation 370 indicates attachment of the user equipment 110to each of the networks 190 depending on availability.

Referring again to processing operation 320, if the communicationmanager 140 detects that the corresponding profile policy does notindicate the offload mode, processing continues at operation 375.

In processing operation 375, the communication manager 140 establishesconnectivity between the user equipment 110 and the primary network190-1 supporting voice communications.

In following operation 380, the communication manager 140 reads thesecond SIM device profile and corresponding policy information. Insubsequent processing operation 385, if the profile policy indicates theoffload mode, then the communication manager executes operation 390 inwhich the user equipment 110 enters the offload mode depending onavailability of wireless base stations in the secondary network 190-2.

Alternatively, in processing operation 385, if the profile policy of thesecond SIM does not indicate offload mode, the communication manager 140continues processing at operation 360 in which the user equipment 110 isoperated in a standard dual SIM device dual standby mode.

Further Summary of Offload Mode

In one embodiment, in the case of the user equipment 110 supportingvoice and data, the device (user equipment or UE) must support requiredfunctionality and regulations for emergency calling. In such aninstance, this is why the device cannot function in stand- alone offloadmode only.

If this profile is the only active profile (single SIM) on the UE, thedevice will not switch to the offload mode and will not activate theexisting profile. The UE can be configured to show error message.

In a dual SIM device, the UE is switched on, reads the primary SIMprofile and policy. If the primary SIM profile policy is designated asoffload, the UE will jump to read the secondary SIM. Else it will attachto the primary SIM profile network.

The UE reads each carrier profile on primary and secondary SIM and thepolicy within the profile. The UE will need to successfully attach tothe network that is not designated as offload before attaching to theoffload network.

If the profile policy indicates offloading profile, the device will gointo offload mode for the profile and carrier network. The profile willbe the designated data service by default. The second active profilewill be designated as primary for voice. The UE will go to offload modefor the profile.

While in offload mode, the data will traverse the offload network ifthere are no voice service sessions on the other network.

Before voice service is established on the other network, data shallmove dynamically to the voice network provided the network orsubscription supports voice and data.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in accordance with further embodiments,recall that the user equipment 110 includes a MODEM device 111 operableto process received wireless communications from the first wirelessnetwork 190-1 and the second wireless network 190-2.

In one embodiment, the user equipment 110 switches between: i) receivingfirst communications at the modem device 111 from the first wirelessnetwork 190-1, and ii) receiving second communications at the modemdevice 111 from the second wireless network 190-2. The user equipment110 (at least occasionally) processes the first communications (such aslooking for so-called page requests or call alerts such as from one ormore of remote communication devices 155) from the first wirelessnetwork 190-1 to determine whether any remote device is attempting toestablish a voice call with the user equipment 110. However, for amajority of the time, assume that the second wireless network 190-2 isavailable, and when no call is made or received by the user 108 andcorresponding user equipment 110 over the first wireless network 190-1,the user equipment 110 uses the modem device 111 to process non-voicedata communications received over the second wireless network 190-2(assuming that connectivity with the second wireless network 190-2 isestablished).

Further Summary of Offload Mode

In one embodiment, the offload mode is a specific mode that affectsdesignated networks, network attachment, activation, network scanning,the user interface and function of the networks.

If required by carrier, the user equipment in offload mode can beconfigured not to display any information to the subscriber regardingthe offload network. Although the device (user equipment 110) is usingtwo active networks, the device will appear as if using a singlenetwork. This includes the offload network name and signal strength willnot be displayed to the subscriber.

In offload mode, the subscriber will not be presented with a userinterface to select which network will be the designated data network.

The offload network will be designated as the default data service (DDS)network. The second network will be designated the primary network forvoice and data (V+D) by default.

In offload mode, the network SIM activation for offload network will bebased on geo-location function where coverage is available.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating of a multi-layer network andcorresponding use of same according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, the network environment 100 includes serverresource 650 operable to distribute network address information 675-1.Network environment 100 further includes network 190-1 and network190-2.

Further in this example embodiment, network 190-1 includes wireless basestation N1-BS1 (such as any of one or more resources such as cell node,base station, enodeB, etc.) at location L11, wireless base stationN1-BS2 at location L12, and so on.

Network 190-2 includes wireless base station N2-BS1 at location L1,wireless base station N1-BS2 at location L2, wireless base stationN1-BS3 at location L3, wireless base station N1-BS4 at location L4, etc.

The purpose of geo location function as described herein is to grant theUE capability to know when to use and activate the proper offloadprofile on a respective

SIM. By providing geo location for the offload network coverage area,the UE can start scanning for the required network as soon as the UEenters coverage. This will maximize the offload percentage and preserveUE resources.

In accordance with further embodiments, the geo location functionincludes a method or function and a geo location database that containslocation data related to the offloading network profiles. This geolocation data will include profile id, profile priority, MCC, Cell ID,EARFN, and GPS longitude and latitude. The device (user equipment 110)will maintain a table of the geo location data based on the country codewhere the device is located. This table will be updated by deviceoperating system or over the top (OTT) application.

One embodiment herein includes three cascading geo location methods todetermine if the user equipment 110 is within coverage of the requiredoffload network. The reason for using cascading method is to overcomelimitations, making the system more accurate and reliable.

First level function: embodiments herein include using a public landmobile network (PLMN) which contains the MCC (Mobile Country Code). ThePLMN for the network will determine if the user equipment is going to beroaming or within general geographic coverage area. This is not anaccurate location method, but it will give direct indication if thedevice is within the country of service.

Second level function: if the first level is met, embodiments hereininclude cell identification for the primary network in conjunction withGPS location to determine if the device is in an area of coverage for asmall cell in network 190-2. The location database table (networkavailability information) can be configured to include information suchas Cell ID, EARFN, and GPS Coordinates with radius value to enable thegeo location to determine if the user equipment is within coverage areaof offload network.

GPS location function: embodiments herein include searching within aradius distance of stored longitudes and latitudes of existing eNodeB todetermine if the user equipment is in a small cell region of wirelesscoverage associated with network 190-2.

Geo Location with MCC

In this mode, the user equipment 110 will scan for required PLMN toconnect to the primary SIM network. The device will determine the MCCbroadcast from the attached networks by the primary SIM profile. Forexample, MCC 310 is for USA.

The user equipment 110 (a.k.a., device) compares the broadcast networkMCC (mobile country code, part of the PLMN) scanned on the primary SIMnetwork with the Geo location table entries for MCC and determine theavailable offload profile and networks if exist.

If the MCC matches an existing MCC in the geo location table, the geolocation function will proceed to select the corresponding offloadprofile and proceed to the next geo location method using GPS and CellID.

If the MCC does not match any of the MCC values within the Geo locationtable, the geo location method will request the eSIM profile to bedisabled if active.

If the MCC does match with existing MCC entry in the geo location tablewith a profile that is deferent than the existing active profile, thegeo location function will proceed to select the corresponding offloadprofile with higher priority.

Geo Location with Cell ID

Cell ID is a unique number used to identify each sector on a basestation.

Each eNodeB sector will have a combined Cell ID and EARFCN uniquelyassigned by the carrier and collected by multiple public databases.

The device will have the values of Cell ID for the primary SIM network.

The values for Cell ID within offload network coverage is stored in thegeo location database.

Cell ID data provided to the database can be obtained through activescanning or obtained from a third party.

Geo Location with GPS Information

GPS location is based on GPS longitude and latitude for the center ofcoverage area of eNodeB and the radius distance that represents anestimation of the coverage area.

Although this will give a circular representation of the coverage area,it will be adequate to activate the corresponding profile and start thescanning process to latch to the network.

The radius distance from the center of the coverage area of eNodeB canbe configured based on required quality of coverage and bandwidth.

The longitude, latitude and radius values are stored in the geo locationdatabase and provided to the device in the geo location table.

Geo Location Algorithm

A device can utilize the MCC, neighboring Cell ID or locationcoordinates to establish location-based awareness of existing networks'coverage and initiate scanning or network connections.

This information is maintained in a geo location table on the UE itselfor can be stored in the SIM/eSIM files. The data can be updated over theair from geo location database centralized servers.

The function can be invoked or executed by the modem firmware, anexternal over-the-top function, or an applet provided in the SIM andactivated by location changes.

If the device detects offload network coverage during scanning, thefunction will store or update the network metrics and locationcoordinates on the geo location table which will be synchronized withthe geo location database.

If the device is in proximity of available coverage, the device willinitiate scanning for the offloading network.

If the device is not within proximity of any offloading networkcoverage, the device will disable the profile or set the scanning cycleto low scanning intervals.

Further in this example embodiment, the communication manager 140 of theuser equipment 110 retrieves network availability information 675-1(a.k.a., geographical location table) from a wireless station or othersuitable resource. Details of the network availability information 675-1are shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating of network availabilityinformation according to embodiments herein.

As shown, the network availability information 675-1 in this exampleembodiment indicates that network 190-1 includes a first wirelessstation N1-BS1 (at location L11 and which provides region of wirelesscoverage WC11), which is assigned unique identifier value N1-BS1; thenetwork availability information 675-1 further indicates that network190-1 includes a second wireless station N1-BS2 (at location L12 andprovides region of wireless coverage WC12), which is assigned uniqueidentifier value N1-BS12; and so on.

The network availability information 675-1 also indicates the differentwireless stations associated with network 190-2 that are present in eachregion of wireless coverage associated with the first wireless network190-1. For example, the network availability information 675-1 indicatesthat wireless stations N2-BS1, N2-BS2, N2-BS3, etc., reside withinregion of wireless coverage WC11 provided by wireless station N1-BS1;network availability information 675-1 indicates that wireless stationsN2-BS4, etc., reside within region of wireless coverage WC12 provided bywireless station N1-BS2; and so on.

In accordance with further embodiments, as further shown in FIG. 5, thenetwork availability information 675-1 can be configured to indicate arespective location and size of a corresponding region of wirelesscoverage provided by a wireless station in the network 190-2.

For example, the network availability information 675-1 indicates thatthe wireless station N2-BS1 (of network 190-2) resides at location L1 inthe network environment 100 and provides a region of wireless coverageWC11; the network availability information 675-1 indicates that thewireless station N2-BS2 resides at location L2 in the networkenvironment 100 and provides a region of wireless coverage WC12; thenetwork availability information 675-1 indicates that the wirelessstation N2-BS3 resides at location L3 in the network environment 100 andprovides a region of wireless coverage WC13; and so on.

Referring again to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the communication manager140 of the user equipment 110 also receives location information (suchas via GPS or Global Positioning System information generated by userequipment 110 or other device) indicating a current location of the userequipment 110 in a region of wireless coverage WC11 provided by thewireless station N2-BS1 in the first wireless network 190-1.

The communication manager 140 receives an identifier (value=N2-BS1)assigned to the wireless station N2-BS1 when creating wirelesscommunication link 428-1. In such an instance, the communication manager110 uses the current location of the user equipment 110 to identify ifthe user equipment 110 resides within a region of wireless coverageassociated with the OFFLOAD network. Because the communication manager140 does not detect that the user equipment 110 resides within a regionof wireless coverage associated with network 190-2 in this example, thecommunication manager 140 uses the wireless communication link 428-1 tocommunicate both voice and non-voice type data communications. Forexample, a first portion of wireless communication link 428-1 supportsvoice communications with remote communication device 155-1; a secondportion of wireless communication link 428-2 supports non-voice datacommunications with the one or more server resources 195.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating of a multi-layer network andcorresponding use of same according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, while the user equipment 110 is wirelesslyconnected to the wireless station N1-BS1 (such as to receive voicecommunications and/or non-voice communications) via wirelesscommunication link 428-1, the user 108 moves about such that the userequipment 110 eventually receives updated location informationindicating that it (user equipment 110) currently resides in region ofwireless coverage WC23 (associated with cell identifier=N1-BS1).

In one embodiment, the communication manager 140 continuously comparesthe received updated location of the user equipment 110 to the differentregions of wireless coverage to determine when an OFFLOAD condition tothe second wireless network 190-2 is possible.

In one embodiment, in response to detecting that the user equipment 110and its current location reside within the region of wireless coverageWC23 as indicated by the network availability information 675-1, thecommunication manager 140 offloads the user equipment 110 to the network190-2 via establishing new or additional wireless communication link428-2.

More specifically, to provide offloading, the communication manager 140initiates establishing a respective new wireless communication link428-2 between the user equipment 110 and the wireless station N1-BS3 innetwork 190-2 to support non-voice data communications (such as one pagecommunications, email retrieval, etc.) between the user equipment 110and the one or more server resources 195-1, 195-2, etc. The priorexisting wireless communication link 428-1 continues to support voicecommunications (such as inbound voice phone calls and respective callalerts, paging, etc., from the remote communication device 155-1 to theuser equipment 110, outbound voice phone calls from the user equipment110 to the remote communication device 155-1, etc.).

Thus, via the network availability information 675-1, the communicationmanager 140 of the user equipment 110 can be configured to map thecurrent location of the user equipment to a wireless station N1-BS3 inthe second wireless network 190-2 to initiate offloading of datacommunications associated with the user equipment 110 over the wirelesscommunication link 428-2 to the wireless network 190-2.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating a multi-layer network andcorresponding use of same according to embodiments herein.

In the event that the current location of the user equipment is unknown,or that the user equipment 110 does not currently reside in a region ofwireless coverage provided by the second network 190-2, the userequipment 110 can be configured to monitor wireless communications fromwireless stations in network 190-2 while the user equipment 110 ispresent in a region of wireless coverage provided by a wireless stationin the first wireless network. The user equipment 110 can be configuredto send out a beacon for any wireless stations in a region and listenfor a response indicating presence of a wireless station to detectpresence of any unknown wireless stations. Alternatively, in accordancewith further embodiments, note that the user equipment may not be ableto or configured to send a beacon (discovery message). In such aninstance, embodiments herein include detecting process of the firstnetwork to get information that will be used by the connection managerto lookup in availability data for available coverage of network 2: inthe detect process, the UE tuning to a specific frequency and goingthrough synchronization process and decoding basic information of thecell (e.g, Physical Cell ID and basic MIB/SIB information).

In this example embodiment, the communication manager 140 initiallyestablishes wireless communication link 728-1 to support voice and/ornon-voice communications. The user equipment 110 receives notification(via a cell identifier from the wireless station N1-BS2) that it is incommunication with the wireless station N1-BS2.

Using previously received network availability information 675-1, thecommunication manager 140 determines or attempts to determine whetherthe user equipment 110 resides in any region of wireless coverageassociated with a wireless station in network 190-2. In this exampleembodiment, assume that the communication manager 140 detects that nowireless station is available in network 190-2.

However, as previously discussed, the communication manager 140 can beconfigured to monitor the region of wireless coverage for beaconsassociated with the second wireless network 190-2. In response todetecting presence of the wireless station N2-BS4 at or around locationL5 via the monitored wireless communications received from any suitableresource, in accordance with subscriber identity information 132, theuser equipment 110 establishes a new wireless communication link 728-2with the wireless station N2-BS4 in the second wireless network 190-2.

Via the newly established supplemental wireless communication link 728-2with the wireless station N2-BS4 in the second wireless network 190-2,the user equipment 110 communicates (offloads) the non-voice wirelesscommunications between the user equipment 110 and the remote network.

Further in this example embodiment, in response to detecting presence ofthe wireless station N2-BS4 of the second wireless network while inregion of wireless coverage WC12, the user equipment 110 updates thenetwork availability information 675-1 to indicate the wireless stationN2-BS4 and its availability in the region of wireless coverage WC12provided by the wireless station N1-BS2 in the first wireless network190-1. Thus, the user equipment 110 can be configured to providenotification of the availability of the detected wireless station in thesecond wireless network to a central authority (server resource 650)tracking locations of wireless stations associated with the secondwireless network 190-2. Server resource 650 notifies other mobilecommunication devices in the region of wireless coverage of theavailability of wireless station N2-BS4 in the region of wirelesscoverage WC12.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating application of updates tonetwork availability information according to embodiments herein.

In this example embodiment, in response to notification from the userequipment 110 of the presence of wireless station N2-BS4, thecommunication manager 140 communicates with the server resource 650,notifying the server resource of the presence of the wireless stationN2-BS4 at or around location L5.

In response to receiving the notification of the presence of thewireless station N2-BS5 in the region of wireless coverage WC12, theserver resource 650 updates the network availability information 675-1to indicate presence of the wireless station N2-BS4 such as at or aroundlocation L5. The updated network availability information 675-2 in FIG.8 includes the new entry indicating the newly detected wireless stationN2-BS5. Via network availability information 675-2, the server resource650 notifies other mobile communication devices in region of wirelesscoverage WC12 of the availability of the secondary network 190-2 andcorresponding wireless station N2-BS5 at or around location L5.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram illustrating general operations regardinguse of different subscriber identity information according toembodiments herein.

Flowchart 900 illustrates implementation of a dual SIM user equipmentdevice and discovering of networks.

In processing operation 910, the communication manager 140 (such as anoperating system) reads the SIM or eSIM profiles and policies within theprofile (such as subscriber identity information for each of multipleSIM devices) and translates a respective carrier profile for one of theSIM devices into an OFFLOAD command.

In processing operation 915, the communication manager 140 sets the userequipment 110 to an OFFLOAD mode in accordance with the OFFLOAD command.

If the policy indicates offloading mode profile, the device will go intooffload mode for the profile and carrier network.

If this profile is the only active profile (single SIM) on the devicethe device will not switch to the offload mode.

If the profile is not the only active profile on the device and theprofile is the designated data offload, the device will go to offloadmode for the profile.

In processing operation 920, the communication manager 140 selects thenetwork associated with the OFFLOAD profile to be the designated dataservice network for the user equipment 110. By default the alternate SIMwill be designated as the default voice profile. For example, the othercarrier profile (for non-voice communications), such as associated withsubscriber identity information 131, is designated for use of theprimary network 190-1. If voice service is established on the primaryvoice network 190-1, data shall move dynamically to the primary network.

In processing operation 925, the communication manager and/or operatingsystem 140 prevents display of a graphical user interface requiring theuser to select and assign subscriber identity information (SIM devices)to different networks. As described herein, in one embodiment, thesubscriber identity information 132 is pre-programmed to indicate thatthe OFFLOAD mode is supported by the SIM device 122. In accordance withfurther example embodiments, the communication manager 140 preventsdisplay of a network name and corresponding signal strength indicator ofthe one or more different networks 190-1, 190-2, etc., as it is notneeded for a user to select which SIM device is to be used for theOFFLOAD mode. If desired, the communication manager 140 also masks thephone number or MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Directory

Number) of the offload network. As previously discussed, the profileinformation associated with the subscriber identity informationindicates to which network the subscriber identity information pertains.Thus, in offload mode, a function can be enabled or disabled by arespective carrier that will hide or mask the standard user interfaceimplemented for DSDS mode. This includes eliminating the need of theuser selecting primary and secondary voice and data networks.

In processing operation 930, the communication manager disables/enablesscanning for the offload network (such as network 190-2) in a manner aspreviously discussed. For example, in the offload mode, network profileactivation and scanning will be controlled by the geo location function.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram illustrating general operations regardinguse of different subscriber identity information according toembodiments herein.

Flowchart 1000 illustrates a function for activating network profile andnetwork scanning as part of a network attachment process, utilizing geolocation information.

In processing operation 1010, the communication manager 140 scansnetwork environment 100 (such as primary network 190-1 and/or secondarynetwork 190-2) to retrieve corresponding PLMN cell information, cellidentifier information, geographical information, etc., and establishlocation-based awareness.

In processing operation 1015, the communication manager 140 decodesgeolocation information or cell information and also determines thelocation of the user equipment 110.

In processing operation 1020, the communication manager 140 compares acurrent location of the user equipment 110 with existing data in ageolocation table (network availability information) for networkcoverage to determine if the user equipment 110 is inside acorresponding wireless coverage area provided by the offload network(secondary network 190-2) as specified by a corresponding carrierprofile.

In processing operation 1025, the communication manager 140 activatesthe profile and starts scanning for data offload network if within arespective wireless coverage area to establish a connection with theoffload network (such as secondary network 190-2). If the user equipmentis in a coverage area, then activate profile and start the attachmentprocess. Otherwise, wait for the next geo location update.

In processing operation 1030, if the offload network is found, thecommunication manager 140 establishes a respective wirelesscommunication link between the user equipment 110 and the secondarynetwork 190-2 for non-voice data communications. As previouslydiscussed, the communication manager 140 can be configured to update ageographical table information and sync up that geographical locationinformation with a master server that stores information aboutsubnetworks in network 190-2 available within network 190-1. Thus, ifthe offload network 190-2 is found, update the geo location tableinformation (network availability information) and sync up with thebackend geo location server (server resource 650). Start attachmentprocess. If no coverage is found, update the coverage information tableand backend server.

FIG. 11 is an example block diagram of a computer system forimplementing any of the operations as previously discussed according toembodiments herein.

Any of the resources (such as each of one or more wireless communicationdevices, gateway resources, network server, application servers 160,communication management resource 140, etc.) as discussed herein can beconfigured to include computer processor hardware and/or correspondingexecutable (software) instructions to carry out the different operationsas discussed herein.

As shown, computer system 1150 of the present example includes aninterconnect 1111 coupling computer readable storage media 1112 such asa non-transitory type of media (which can be any suitable type ofhardware storage medium in which digital information can be stored andretrieved), a processor 1113 (computer processor hardware), I/Ointerface 1114, and a communications interface 1117.

I/O interface(s) 1114 supports connectivity to repository 1180 and inputresource 1192.

Computer readable storage medium 1112 can be any hardware storage devicesuch as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In oneembodiment, the computer readable storage medium 1112 storesinstructions and/or data.

As shown, computer readable storage media 1112 can be encoded withmanagement application 140-1 (e.g., including instructions) to carry outany of the operations as discussed herein.

During operation of one embodiment, processor 1113 accesses computerreadable storage media 1112 via the use of interconnect 1111 in order tolaunch, run, execute, interpret or otherwise perform the instructions inin the management application 140-1 stored on computer readable storagemedium 1112. Execution of the management application 140-1 producesmanagement process 140-2 to carry out any of the operations and/orprocesses as discussed herein.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 1150can include other processes and/or software and hardware components,such as an operating system that controls allocation and use of hardwareresources to execute management application 140-1.

In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system mayreside in any of various types of devices, including, but not limitedto, a mobile computer, wireless communication device, gateway resource,communication management resource, a personal computer system, awireless device, a wireless access point, a base station, phone device,desktop computer, laptop, notebook, netbook computer, mainframe computersystem, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, applicationserver, storage device, a consumer electronics device such as a camera,camcorder, set top box, mobile device, video game console, handheldvideo game device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router,set-top box, content management device, handheld remote control device,any type of computing or electronic device, etc. The computer system 850may reside at any location or can be included in any suitable resourcein any network environment to implement functionality as discussedherein.

Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussedvia flowchart in FIG. 12. Note that the steps in the flowcharts belowcan be executed in any suitable order.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart 1200 illustrating an example method according toembodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing operation 1210, the communication manager 140 accessesfirst subscriber identity information 131 assigned to user equipment110. The first subscriber identity information 131 provides the userequipment access to a first wireless network (N1) in a networkenvironment 100.

In processing operation 1220, the communication manager 140 accessessecond subscriber identity information 132 assigned to the userequipment 110. The second subscriber identity information 132 providesthe user equipment 110 access to a second wireless network (N2 orOFFLOAD network) in the network environment 100.

In processing operation 1230, via analysis of configuration settings inthe second subscriber identity information 132, the communicationmanager 140 detects that the second network is assigned to supportnon-voice wireless communications (such as data communications) betweenthe user equipment 110 and a remote network.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited to facilitate wirelesscommunications in a wireless network environment over multiple differentnetworks. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are notlimited to use in such applications and that the techniques discussedherein are well suited for other applications as well.

Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific detailshave been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimedsubject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., thatwould be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described indetail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Some portions of thedetailed description have been presented in terms of algorithms orsymbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digitalsignals stored within a computing system memory, such as a computermemory. These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examplesof techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processingarts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.An algorithm as described herein, and generally, is considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading toa desired result. In this context, operations or processing involvephysical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although notnecessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared orotherwise manipulated. It has been convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values,elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals or the like. Itshould be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms areto be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparentfrom the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like refer to actionsor processes of a computing platform, such as a computer or a similarelectronic computing device, that manipulates or transforms datarepresented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities withinmemories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmissiondevices, or display devices of the computing platform.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims. Such variations areintended to be covered by the scope of this present application. Assuch, the foregoing description of embodiments of the presentapplication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations tothe invention are presented in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: accessing first subscriber identityinformation assigned to user equipment, the first subscriber identityinformation operative to provide the user equipment access to a firstwireless network in a network environment; accessing second subscriberidentity information assigned to the user equipment, the secondsubscriber identity information operative to provide the user equipmentaccess to a second wireless network in the network environment; and inresponse to detecting that configuration settings in the secondsubscriber identity information indicate to operate in an offload mode,selecting the second wireless network to establish wireless connectivitybetween the user equipment and the second wireless network.
 2. Themethod as in claim 1 further comprising: verifying that the firstsubscriber identity information does not indicate to operate in anoffload mode to the first wireless network prior to establishingwireless connectivity between the user equipment and the second wirelessnetwork.
 3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: verifying thatthe first subscriber identity information supports voice communicationsprior to establishing the wireless connectivity between the userequipment and the second wireless network.
 4. The method as in claim 3,wherein the offload mode as specified by the configuration settings inthe second subscriber identity information support non-voicecommunications between the user equipment and the second wirelessnetwork.
 5. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: establishingthe wireless connectivity between the user equipment and the secondwireless network as a handoff of the user equipment from the firstwireless network to the second wireless network.
 6. The method as inclaim 1, wherein the second wireless network is designated as a defaultnon-voice communications data service network.
 7. The method as in claim1 further comprising: implementing a geo location function for theoffload mode to determine instances in which to connect the userequipment to the second wireless network based on a current location ofthe user equipment.
 8. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: atthe user equipment, switching between: i) receiving first communicationsfrom the first wireless network, and ii) receiving second communicationsfrom the second wireless network.
 9. The method as in claim 1 furthercomprising: in accordance with the offload mode as specified by theconfiguration settings in the second subscriber identity information,establishing the wireless connectivity as a handoff from the firstwireless network to the second wireless network in response to movementof the user equipment into a region of wireless coverage supported bythe second wireless network.
 10. The method as in claim 1, wherein thesecond wireless network is a default network assigned a higher prioritythan the first wireless network over which to receive non-voice wirelesscommunications.
 11. A system comprising: communication managementhardware operative to: access first subscriber identity informationassigned to user equipment, the first subscriber identity informationoperative to provide the user equipment access to a first wirelessnetwork in a network environment; access second subscriber identityinformation assigned to the user equipment, the second subscriberidentity information operative to provide the user equipment access to asecond wireless network in the network environment; and in response todetecting that configuration settings in the second subscriber identityinformation indicate to operate in an offload mode, select the secondwireless network to establish wireless connectivity between the userequipment and the second wireless network.
 12. The system as in claim11, wherein the communication management hardware is further operativeto: verify that the first subscriber identity information does notindicate to operate in an offload mode to the first wireless networkprior to establishing wireless connectivity between the user equipmentand the second wireless network.
 13. The system as in claim 11, whereinthe communication management hardware is further operative to: verifythat the first subscriber identity information supports voicecommunications prior to establishing the wireless connectivity betweenthe user equipment and the second wireless network.
 14. The system as inclaim 13, wherein the offload mode as specified by the configurationsettings in the second subscriber identity information support non-voicecommunications between the user equipment and the second wirelessnetwork.
 15. The system as in claim 11, wherein the communicationmanagement hardware is further operative to: establish the wirelessconnectivity between the user equipment and the second wireless networkas a handoff of the user equipment from the first wireless network tothe second wireless network.
 16. The system as in claim 11, wherein thesecond wireless network is designated as a default non-voicecommunications data service network.
 17. The system as in claim 11,wherein the communication management hardware is further operative to:implementing a geo location function for the offload mode to determineinstances in which to connect the user equipment to the second wirelessnetwork based on a current location of the user equipment.
 18. Thesystem as in claim 11, wherein the communication management hardware isfurther operative to: at the user equipment, switching between: i)receiving first communications from the first wireless network, and ii)receiving second communications from the second wireless network. 19.The system as in claim 11, wherein the communication management hardwareis further operative to: in accordance with the offload mode asspecified by the configuration settings in the second subscriberidentity information, establish the wireless connectivity as a handofffrom the first wireless network to the second wireless network inresponse to movement of the user equipment into a region of wirelesscoverage supported by the second wireless network.
 20. The system as inclaim 11, wherein the second wireless network is a default networkassigned a higher priority than the first wireless network over which toreceive non-voice wireless communications.
 21. Computer-readable storagehardware having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, whencarried out by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processorhardware to: access first subscriber identity information assigned touser equipment, the first subscriber identity information operative toprovide the user equipment access to a first wireless network in anetwork environment; access second subscriber identity informationassigned to the user equipment, the second subscriber identityinformation operative to provide the user equipment access to a secondwireless network in the network environment; and in response todetecting that configuration settings in the second subscriber identityinformation indicate to operate in an offload mode, select the secondwireless network to establish wireless connectivity between the userequipment and the second wireless network.